The solutions include a new version of its mobile banking app, UnionMobile, and *826#, a unique USSD code, which will allow customers perform banking transactions through short-code messaging on their mobile phones.

The Union Bank Plc has unveiled multiple digital banking solutions aimed to fasten its grip on the trending technology-driven financial services in line with its new brand identity anchored on simpler and smarter financial transactions.

The solutions include a new version of its mobile banking app, UnionMobile, and *826#, a unique USSD code, which will allow customers perform banking transactions through short-code messaging on their mobile phones.

The bank also revealed its upgraded online banking platform, UnionOnline, with aesthetic improvements, new features and targeted offers for its customer segments.

With the *826#, the Union Bank has joined a growing financial industry trend which hopes to extend banking services to less tech savvy customers, and customers who want to avoid Internet banking which requires data, as well as the financially excluded.

Speaking at the launch event yesterday, Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank, Emeka Emuwa, said the new banking solutions were part of the bank’s commitments to deliver on its brand proposition.

Besides, taking a cue from UBER innovation, the financial institution has also introduced a “Locate An Agent’ feature on its banking app, designed to bring its mobile banking services directly to its customers.

Using the mobile app, customers can locate the Union Bank Direct Sales Agent (DSA) closest to them and request cash collection for deposit or withdrawals. Agents can also open accounts and assist customers with other banking services at a location convenient for them.

According to Union Bank’s Head of Retail Banking, Carlos Wenderley, this new feature was designed to support small businesses.Also, the bank’s Head, Alternative Channel, Folorunsho Orimoloye, said bucking the industry standard relies on a shared USSD code for mCash merchant payments, making Union Bank to become the first bank in Nigeria to enable its own unique USSD code for the mCash payment system.

He says that this means customers of the bank can use the bank’s short-code, 826, to make mCash payments at participating merchant locations, “whereas other banks do not use their own codes but rely on a shared short-code from Nigeria Inter Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), which owns the mCash platform.

Orimoloye, who stated that the Union Bank had raised the bar by introducing innovation which will give customers real-time information on ATMs in-service and dispensing cash, said the bank customers could also now make cardless withdrawals at ATMs by simply generating a code on the new banking app to use at ATMs.

According to him, with the successful launch of this new digital platform, Union Bank can truly boast of a simpler and smarter 360-degree banking experience for customers across mobile, online and USSD platforms.“Union Bank will continue to focus on delivering customer-driven solutions that will add value and support business and personal ambitions,” he stated.